Tag: facts about chiropractic

A visit to the chiropractor isn’t just for the average person who’s suffering some sort of problem, but in fact, many professional athletes use chiropractic care to stay fit, prevent and heal injuries, and maximize their performance. Athletes understand that chiropractors are actually “movement specialists” and can help someone reach the top of their game. The list of athletes who regularly use chiropractic reads like a who’s who of superstars: Olympic record-holder Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, Evander Holyfield, and Michael Jordan are just a few examples. These days, 33% of NFL teams have a chiropractor on their medical staff and the other 77% refer their athletes to private chiropractors.

2. It’s all connected.

Sometimes we forget that the body work through a bunch of separate and unrelated functions, but instead, all mechanism are interrelated. Of course it all starts with the nervous system, and nerves that send commands to every inch of the body are transmitted through the spinal column. If the joints of the spine are compromised or out of balance, a disruption of biomechanical integrity called subluxation, it can affect many other systems of the body. Therefore, chiropractic care is paramount to total body health and wellness.

3. Doctors don’t heal people!

But don’t you go to a chiropractic doctor so he or she can “fix” whatever is wrong?

Actually, that’s not entirely how it works. The good news is that what a chiropractic doctor will do for you is restore proper motion to the joints, which lifts stress from the nerves and muscles and allows your body to properly heal itself. But until that disfunction in nerve transmission is relieved, it can be almost impossible for your body to find its perfect natural balance, and therefore manifests disease and physical symptoms of pain and discomfort. So from now on you can think of chiropractors as the gatekeepers to healing!

4. People of all ages benefit from chiropractic care.

You don’t have to be a certain age to receive the benefits of chiropractic care. In fact, seniors and young children are two groups that receive some of the most results with chiopractic. It makes sense if you think about it: anyone with a spine can use treatment. Seniors can use chiropractic to manage join degeneration, range of motion, balance, and pain. On the other end of the age spectrum, babies and children are growing so fast that regular chiropractic care really helps their brains and nervous systems develop healthily. Doctors even check infants right after birth for spinal misalignments or problems, and later adjustments helps alleviate problems like colic, asthma, allergies, bed-wetting, problems sleeping, and behavioral disorders.

5. You’ll get sick less often with chiropractic care.

Comprehensive research has proven that regular chiropractic care and adjustments improve the production of immunoregulatory complexes that are crucial for your immune system to work as efficiently pas possible.

One of the oldest examples of this medical phenomenon is the deadly flu pandemic of 1917. Even back then the field of chiropractic was thriving and popular, and these doctors notices something amazing about their patients: people who received chiropractic care caught the flu less often, recovered better, and suffered fewer fatalities than the general population.

Published at the time in an osteopathic journal, the estimated death rate among patients who caught the deadly influenza and went to traditional doctors was 5 to 6 percent, but the fatality rate among influenza cases receiving spinal adjustments was estimated at a paltry 0.25%. Since then, there are numerous studies that back up the fact that getting adjusted improves overall health, which includes getting sick less.

Truth: The adjustment won’t cause any pain, and most of our patients actually feel a sense of relief! The focus of chiropractic treatment is unlocking parts of the spine and joints, and that’s done through natural movements and adjustments. While there may be slight soreness or discomfort at first as your nervous system adjusts, it’s been described as a similar sensation after a good exercise session at the gym.

2. Myth: Chiropractic treatment only helps back pain.

Truth: Chiropractic doctors specialize in improving joint function in every part of the body, though a large percentage of clientele do have issues originating or manifesting in their spines. Car accidents, slip-and-falls, and other injuries usually cause extensive pain in the back area. But many people go see a chiropractor to work out problems in their knees, ankles, hands, and neck, too, such as professional athletes and even pregnant mothers.

3. Myth: It’s expensive.

Truth: The reality is that chiropractic treatment usually costs less than other doctor’s visits, with profound and immediate results. Considering the alternatives – costly specialists, surgery, potentially harmful prescription medications, or just living in pain, chiropractic care is the most cost effective treatment available.

A recent study of 85,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield patients found that over a 2-year period, people who were treated for lower back pain by a chiropractic doctor incurred costs 40% lower than if they went to a medical doctor for the same condition!

4. Myth: Insurance won’t cover it.

Truth: The good news is that the vast majority of insurance plans do cover chiropractic treatment, including Medicare. Actually, the insurance companies prefer you go visit a chiropractor to alleviate problems instead of jumping to expensive drugs and involved surgeries, because they understand the preventive cost of chiropractic is exponentially less.

5. Myth: Chiropractors aren’t real doctors.

Truth: You might be amazed to hear that chiropractic doctors actually require more schooling than general medical doctors! In fact, a degree in chiropractic requires 2,887 education class hours while a medical doctor requires only 2,756 hours. Chiropractic specialists receive their doctorate after 4 or 5 years of medical schooling, which includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience, and then they must pass State and National board certifications to become licensed and practice, as well as ongoing education.

6. Myth: Once you go, you’ll always have to go.

Truth: How often you go to a chiropractor is completely up to you. But many patients choose to come on a regular basis because it works so well, not because they have to! Once they experience the health benefits – like an increase in energy, immune function, sleep patterns and general well being – they usually enjoy coming to get adjusted on a regular basis. But a good portion of our patients only come temporarily, to treat a specific injury caused by something like a car accident. Of course how often you come visit us – once a week or once a year – is completely up to you.

7. Myth: It’s for adults not children.

Truth: The truth is that anyone can improve their health and enjoy the benefits of chiropractic treatment, including children and even babies. In fact, studies show that even one chiropractic treatment reduces colic by 80-90%! Children tend to need our treatments less just because they are more flexible and heal better than adults, but it’s also highly recommended children go for a chiropractic checkup routinely as they grow and develop.

8. Myth: It’s dangerous.

Truth: Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of medical treatment you could ever get. Did you know that adverse reaction to prescription drugs is the 3rd leading cause of death in America? That’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid by utilizing chiropractic – risky surgeries and over prescribing potentially dangerous drugs. It’s a safe, natural alternative and should always be a first course of treatment before a patient takes on further medical risk.

Another interesting fact is that chiropractic doctors pay less for malpractice insurance than any other type of doctors. The reason? Chiropractic doctors have far less lawsuits claiming injuries or malpractice than other doctors!

9. Myth: It’s just a trend.

Truth: While chiropractic has become increasingly popular in recent decades (because it works so well,) treatment of the spine and joints is one of the oldest medical practice. Chiropractic has been common in the United States for at least one 100 years and it’s the largest form of drug-free health care, and the third largest form of any health care in North America!

A comprehensive medical study done in 1996 by Coulter et al and TopClinChiro revealed that 87% of long term chiropractic patients described their health as excellent, took fewer prescription medications, and experienced less pain and chronic conditions from aging.

10. Myth: It’s hard to get started.

Truth: Getting started couldn’t be easier – just pick up the phone and call us for a consultation. We’ll talk to you about your current health condition, what’s bothering you, and give you a thorough assessment before there’s any treatment. If you want to learn more before you come see us, follow this blog and sign up for our emails with ongoing education. You can also contact us with questions any time. We’re here to help!